Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov broke boundaries with his dreamlike vision of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russian Ark. It's the first feature-length narrative film shot in a single take (on digital video, using a specially… MoreRussian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov broke boundaries with his dreamlike vision of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russian Ark. It's the first feature-length narrative film shot in a single take (on digital video, using a specially designed disc instead of tape). Russian Ark is shot from the point-of-view of an unseen narrator, as he explores the museum and travels through Russian history. The audience sees through his eyes as he witnesses Peter the Great (Maksim Sergeyev) abusing one of his generals; Catherine the Great (Maria Kuznetsova) desperately searching for a bathroom; and, in the grand finale, the sumptuous Great Royal Ball of 1913. The narrator is eventually joined by a sarcastic and eccentric 19th century French Marquis (Sergey Dreiden), who travels with him throughout the huge grounds, encountering various historical figures and viewing the legendary artworks on display. While the narrator only interacts with the Marquis (he seems to be invisible to all the other inhabitants), the Marquis occasionally interacts with visitors and former residents of the museum. The film was obviously shot in one day, but the cast and crew rehearsed for months to time their movements precisely with the flow of the camera while capturing the complex narrative, with elaborate costumes from different periods, and several trips out to the exterior of the museum. Tilman Büttner, the director of photography, was responsible for capturing it all in one single Steadicam shot.

Russian Ark should be remembered not only as a breathtaking logistic accomplishment that knocked me off my chair with its stunning single take using a Steadicam… MoreRussian Ark should be remembered not only as a breathtaking logistic accomplishment that knocked me off my chair with its stunning single take using a Steadicam and digital technology, but also as a sumptuous travel through Russian history and an unforgettable homage to the Hermitage Museum and to Art itself.

Jeremy Smith

One of the most extraordinary films I have ever seen. Shot I one breath as they say with 2,000 actors, 3 orchestras, 300 years of Russian History.

Stella Dallas

this must have been amazing on a big screen :( a 90 minute one shot trip through the hermitage museum with a cast of thousands from various historical periods;… Morethis must have been amazing on a big screen :( a 90 minute one shot trip through the hermitage museum with a cast of thousands from various historical periods; it's surreal at first but soon won me over. it's completely gorgeous and ends like a dream with the last imperial ball at the winter palace, 1913. i'm sure it's not for everyone but it's a feast for art lovers and history buffs as well as being a full-length feature film accomplished in a single take, on the 4th try i believe

Eric Broome

My reaction to "Russian Ark" reminded me of my reaction to another Russian film I saw a few months ago, "The Color of Pomegranates." Both… MoreMy reaction to "Russian Ark" reminded me of my reaction to another Russian film I saw a few months ago, "The Color of Pomegranates." Both are stylistically radical works where I enjoyed the splendid imagery, but felt like I was missing the nuances of its historical references. In the case of "Russian Ark," its visual pleasures come in two flavors: the architecture and art treasures of the Hermitage museum, and the film's remarkable feat of being shot in a single, extended Steadicam shot. It's mind-boggling to even imagine the planning which went into the choreography between the camera's winding path, the enormous cast (including three orchestras) and the synchronization of all the various events and conversations. Apparently, the action required four takes to come out right.
After one assimilates the miracle of the film's construction, its intricate content becomes the next hurdle. Essentially, the surreal "plot" involves an apparent ghost (and muttering narrator) weaving through the rooms and halls of the Hermitage, usually following a single character who represents the Marquis de Custine, a 19th-century Frenchman known for his travel writing. The camera's perspective is entirely through the eyes of the narrator as he kibbutzes with the Marquis. So the pair wanders through the museum, surveying the displayed masterpieces while encountering each room's contrasting sets of people (mostly aristocrats and soldiers snatched from varying periods of history). Appearances of Catherine the Great, Peter the Great, Nicholas II and his notorious daughter Anastasia are readily absorbed, but many other characters (some portrayed by the actual living persons) will require a trip to Google. The film does not have an introductory tone, and instead presumes the viewer has pre-existing familiarity with the material.
"Russian Ark" is a heady challenge, and I couldn't help but wish the Marquis hadn't been so irritating and socially awkward. He is not attractive, and is clad in a drab, black outfit which usually comes off underdressed compared with the settings he "crashes." A more charming guide would have made the film much easier to swallow.

Greg S

A never-seen ghostlike figure wanders through the Hermitage Museum (previously home to the Czars) in St. Petersburg, watching re-enactments of Russian history… MoreA never-seen ghostlike figure wanders through the Hermitage Museum (previously home to the Czars) in St. Petersburg, watching re-enactments of Russian history and debating art and culture with a French aristocrat companion. With thousands of extras, it's pulled off in one amazing 95-minute take. It's more than a bit stuffy and tailored to the delicate sensibilities of the fine arts crowd, but it's impossible not to be impressed by the pageantry and technical achievement.

I feel terrible about giving the movie this rating, considering it's an unbelievable technical accomplishment, but unless you're a history buff or a… MoreI feel terrible about giving the movie this rating, considering it's an unbelievable technical accomplishment, but unless you're a history buff or a cinematographer there's really not much to offer here.
It really is amazing how much effort went into this film, though. It's a mystery to me how they managed to get all this right in one take. I only wish Russian Ark was as engaging as it was superbly-crafted.

Neum Daddy

Guess what Bill Murray & Scarlett Johanssen movie I just bought today? :cool:
Some things to remember in the whackiness (or the extreme lack thereof)… MoreGuess what Bill Murray & Scarlett Johanssen movie I just bought today? :cool:
Some things to remember in the whackiness (or the extreme lack thereof) with everyday life:
Hate paralyzes life; Love releases it.
Hate confuses life; Love harmonizes it.
Hate darkens life; Love illuminates it.
Choose love over anger. Choose compassion over condemnation. Choose action over inaction. Time is not our enemy. Our choices are. Make your choices lead to who you will become.
[size=1]I swear, there was something else I was gonna write (a good one too), but I'm drawing many blanks right now. And I just said it to myself not 5 minutes ago!! Cursed memory![/size]
So um...how's everybody doin'? Good, I imagine. Now, for a small dose of fun, how 'bout I list off all the beverages I've had in the last 24 hours?
-Water (exciting)
-OJ (Minute Maid; not that canned crap)
-Milk (the leftover after my bowls of Waffle Crisp, Grape Nuts or Frosted Mini-Wheats)
-Chai Latte (from Starbucks - OK, it's my first trip to the place this year; cut me some slack)
-Corona (for my hour of boob-tubing last night)
-Water (I didn't list this one already, did I?)
-Orange Juice (just trying to fill up slots now)
-Water (I swear I just wrote this)
Since this is such an exciting topic, what about you guys? What sorts of beverages have you guzzled down in the last 24 hours?

Kevin M. Williams

The ark here is the famous Hermitage of St.Petersburg, mysteriously afloat on the sea of time and of Russian history. The camera glidingly takes us through the… MoreThe ark here is the famous Hermitage of St.Petersburg, mysteriously afloat on the sea of time and of Russian history. The camera glidingly takes us through the opulent splendour of the great halls, lingering ever so over the detail in the architecture or some exquisite furniture, and we see those walkways and rooms peopled with the souls that must have tarried there before (as in a dream ... for they neither see nor hear us). And so a history lesson, a memorial if you will, a toast to what was Mother Russia (and not that whole Soviet business, what was that?), with a eye to what more may come.

William Sleet

A truly astonishing piece of cinerama that can only ever be described in over-enthusiastic superlatives and even then I would fear of doing it a disservice.… MoreA truly astonishing piece of cinerama that can only ever be described in over-enthusiastic superlatives and even then I would fear of doing it a disservice. It's (literal) sweeping majesty and glorious conceit makes me weep sweet tears of cinephiliac joy

Rico Zamora

This movie is a marvel to watch. Touted as being shot in one take, this film travels across hundreds of years of Russian history in the Hermitage. It's an… MoreThis movie is a marvel to watch. Touted as being shot in one take, this film travels across hundreds of years of Russian history in the Hermitage. It's an amazing spectacle, what with carefully choreographed sequences and dazzling set and costume design. Definitely a must-see! The movie is in Russian with English subtitles.

John Ballantine

Wonderful concept and gorgeous execution. The viewer moves throughout history to bring alive the story of a building which continues to be of fundamental… MoreWonderful concept and gorgeous execution. The viewer moves throughout history to bring alive the story of a building which continues to be of fundamental importance to the Russian people.